During class, Ling Tianchen spent the entire time getting cozy with Xiao Xiao. As for Zhang Lexuan's lecture, he hadn't heard a single word.
It had to be said: if she hadn't just read straight from the textbook, and had instead shared some stories from her time gaining experience out in the world, he might actually have been interested in listening.
But Zhang Lexuan seemed distracted, her attention clearly elsewhere. She'd been called in so suddenly that she hadn't had any time to prepare the lesson. Given that, she'd done pretty well.
Leaning against his shoulder, Xiao Xiao counted on her fingers as she chatted about what had happened at school during the month she'd been away.
How Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi, the Outer Court Twin Stars, had finally settled who was stronger; how a woman's loud voice had suddenly rung out from Dean Yan's office, scolding him until he couldn't get a word in; how a golden-haired girl showed up in the lobby outside Class One after school every day, and all the rest...
"What if Ning Tian comes by again later? I was hoping to have some fun with you today, class monitor." Xiao Xiao lifted her face from his shoulder and complained with a hint of coyness.
"What fun? You've probably explored all of Shrek by now, after being gone for a month."
"Not at all. I saved my first visit for you, class monitor. I've been cultivating at the academy the whole time."
"Then you've really worked hard."
"So—what about Ning Tian?"
"We'll see."
Ling Tianchen mumbled a vague reply, already turning another matter over in his mind:
Wasn't Zhang Lexuan going to call him to her office later? Maybe he could use that as an excuse to get away.
One shot in exchange for